Indiana Hoosiers’ leading scorer, Malik Reneau, is expected to be sidelined indefinitely following a right knee injury sustained during Thursday’s 84-74 victory over Rutgers. The injury occurred just 29 seconds into the game when Reneau collided with a teammate, leading to his exit from the court. Post-game evaluations indicated no structural damage to the knee; however, head coach Mike Woodson has stated that Reneau’s return is not anticipated “anytime soon.”
In Reneau’s absence, the Hoosiers have relied on senior forward Luke Goode and center Oumar Ballo to fill the void. Goode started in place of Reneau during Sunday’s 77-71 win over Penn State, contributing 12 points, including three three-pointers. Ballo, who had missed the previous game, returned to deliver a dominant performance with 25 points, 13 rebounds, and two blocks.
Reneau has been a pivotal player for Indiana this season, averaging 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. His injury presents a significant challenge for the Hoosiers as they continue their Big Ten campaign. The team will look to maintain their momentum with upcoming games, including a matchup against USC on Wednesday at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
Coach Woodson emphasized the importance of other players stepping up during Reneau’s absence, stating, “It’s next man up. We just got to continue to go whoever is in uniform.”
The Hoosiers currently hold a 12-3 overall record, with a 3-1 standing in Big Ten play. The team and fans alike are hopeful for Reneau’s swift recovery, though no specific timeline has been provided for his return.